BANGOR, Maine — A local couple reported their Jeep Wrangler stolen back on Nov. 24 after their son, who they said may be using drugs, told his parents he lost the vehicle, according to police.

When Zane M. Harmon, 26, of Bangor, drove the missing Jeep into the parking lot of the Bangor Efficiency Apartments, at 513 Hammond St., at around noon Saturday, Officer Brian Smith noticed.

Smith “was on routine patrol when he parked his car on Webster Avenue North in order to observe 513 Hammond St., which has been documented to have recent drug activity in and around it,” Sgt. Paul Edwards said.

Smith ran the Jeep’s registration and learned the vehicle was reported stolen. The officer then knocked on the door of the apartment that Harmon and a woman entered after they exited the Jeep, and after several minutes Harmon answered.

Story continues below advertisement.

Harmon told Smith he recently purchased the Jeep and had a sales receipt in the vehicle.

“After several minutes of searching backpacks and small personal safes, it was determined that he could not produce a bill of sale,” Edwards said.

Harmon, who was found with a diverted suboxone strip, was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of scheduled drugs. He was taken to the Penobscot County Jail and remained there on Monday, the sergeant said.

The Jeep, which was being used by the son of the owners, was reported stolen one week prior to Harmon’s arrest.

“He thought he parked it somewhere and didn’t know where it was so [he said] it must be stolen,” Edwards said, referring to the son.

The Jeep was returned to its owners, he said.

The Bangor Efficiency Apartments have been a focus of concern for police after several arrests recently at the location, Edwards said.

“Brian [had] a little extra time on his hands, doing his normal patrol work, and decided to [observe the place],” the sergeant said. “It worked out for him. He did good work.”